Quick Links:

BBYO Membership Kickoff Dance - March 10

On Saturday, March 10th, BBYO will hold a Spring Membership Kickoff Dance from 9:00-11:00 p.m. atd at the West Bloomfield JCC, in Handleman Hall.

This FREE event is open to all 8th-12th grade Jewish teens. Electric Entertainment with be our DJ -with their famous light set up - in addition to Kosher snacks and refreshments, lots of candy, and hundreds of Jewish teens! You can sign up on www.b-linked.org or call Lindsey Rosenberg, Program Director, at (248) 432-5680 for more information.

There will also be an opportunity for parents to meet the BBYO Commission Parent Engagement Committee and learn more about BBYO. More information will be coming soon.

YLC - For all 1st & 2nd Year Members! It's almost full

1st & 2nd Year Members - Sign up for YLC Today!Hey first and second year members, this is your chance to go on an amazing exclusive weekend....YLC!

The Lawrence Hyman Young Leadership Conclave (YLC) is a weekend at the BBYO's Bittker Center where 1st and 2nd year members get to hang out at Bittker, meet new friends, and learn all about BBYO on a regional and chapter level, with their fellow BBG’s and AZA’s. This is a great weekend, and is HIGHLY recommended for first and second year members to attend - especially if you're thinking about running for Chapter Board next year!

Sign up on www.blinked.org...spots are going to fill up FAST!!! It's only $100, and need-based financial aid is available.

Contact Katie Fried for AZA (KFried@bbyo.org, 248-432-5685), or Lindsey Rosenberg for BBG (LRosenberg@bbyo.org, 248-432-5680) with any questions or for scholarship information.

YLC 1 will be on March 16-18 and YLC 2 is on March 23-25. There are only 6 AZA spots and 9 BBG spots for YLC 1, and only 5 AZA spots on YLC 2 (no BBG spots left on YLC 2).

1,100+ Jewish Teen Community Leaders from 13 Countries to Gather for International Convention 2012

Follow Us Through TV, Radio Broadcasts, and our IC Live Blog!

Atlanta will host more than 1,100 of the Jewish teen community’s brightest thinkers, strategists, philanthropists, and educators from 15 countries February 16 – 20 for the largest-ever International Convention (IC) of BBYO. For the past eight decades, this convention has served to unite the rising leaders of AZA and BBG to set the course for the coming year, determine strategies for strengthening BBYO as a youth-led movement and connect teens to the worldwide Jewish community. In addition to nearly 900 teen leaders in attendance, the convention will bring together BBYO professionals, Board of Directors and volunteer advisors that represent some of the most passionate, educated and committed leaders in the Jewish community today.

Listen to live broadcasts directly from the convention and find out the 2012-2013 newly elected International Board members first on Jewish Rock Radio(a free app is available for Android, iPhone or iPad)

Watch Jewish Life TV's live broadcasts of Opening Ceremonies, Day of Service Kick-Off, Shabbat Preparation and the State of the Order Address!

February J-Serve

Do you want to give back, take part in your community, and make a difference in the world?

Join us for Winter J-Serve: Feeding the Hungry, taking place Thursday, February 23 from 2:30 – 7:00 p.m. Jewish teens in 6th to 12th grades are invited to volunteer and participate in a day of service at various locations in Pontiac and Detroit. Transportation will be provided to and from the service sites from Adat Shalom Synagogue, following registration and opening programs.

This enjoyable and exciting event allows teens to work together, volunteer in the community, and be a part of an incredible experience!

For more information, contact Katie Fried at 248.432.5685 or kfried@bbyo.org.

Coffee House

Do you like to sing, play an instrument, or perform for an audience?

Sign up to perform at Coffeehouse- Presented by BBYO, taking place Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the West Bloomfield JCC! You'll will have the opportunity to perform in an “open-mic” style setting, all for a good cause!

This program is open to any Jewish teen in grades 6 - 12, all of whom are invited to perform! Proceeds from the event go to International Service Fund (ISF), which supports BBYO in other countries.

Coffee, hot cocoa, beverages, and baked goods will all be for sale with proceeds benefitting ISF, as well.

For more information, or to sign up to perform, contact Katie Fried at 248-432-5685 or kfried@bbyo.org.

Make it an Impactful and Affordable Summer!

Don't miss your last chance to register for a BBYO Summer Experience at a special early bird discount of $75. Early Bird ends February 29!

SUMMER OF IMPACT OFFERS SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

This summer, BBYO has several scholarship opportunities for teens to learn about service at one of BBYO's four Summer of Impact programs taking place in Boston, Chicago, DC, and Israel. Each of these programs offers a unique understanding as to how you can be a leader and create change in your community. For more information on Summer of Impact, click here.

It is not too late for you to take advantage of one of our great discounts:

Are you a JSU member? All JSU members can receive $100 off Impact: DC and Impact: Chicago - just like that!

Have you attended a Panim el Panim seminar? If so, you can receive $100 off Impact: DC and Chicago.

Do you know anyone who attended the University of Maryland or University of Chicago? If so, have them email Natalie at NSukienik@bbyo.org with a referral and you can receive $150 off either Impact: DC or Impact: Israel.

Take advantage of BBYO Scholarships:

All regions have scholarship money specifically for Impact: DC, Chicago and Boston -- just reply to this email and ask your regional staff!

You can also get a taste of Impact programs at CLTC. Teens attending CLTC Sessions 1 and 6 can spend three extra days at Impact: Milwaukee (following Session 1) and Impact: Pittsburgh (following Session 2). At both of these extensions, you’ll have an intensive experience of service, advocacy, and Jewish values. You will do hands-on service, learn about different ways of having an impact on your community, and discuss how to apply your CLTC leadership skills back home. More information is available here.

We hope to see you this summer! For questions, please email Natalie at NSukienik@bbyo.org.

Stand UP in Washington, DC on March 25 - 28!

NEW PROGRAM: Special BBYO Panim el Panim Seminar for Stand UP leaders

Do you want to learn how to run a strong Stand UP campaign and sharpen your leadership skills while thinking about today’s current issues? All BBYO teens are invited to come to Washington, DC, to participate in the first ever Panim el Panim: Stand UP Seminar and return home as a leader ready to impact your community! The program features advocacy training on a wide range of current topics, a community service project and the opportunity to lobby your elected officials on Capitol Hill! The program will focus on all aspects of Stand UP, allowing seasoned participants to strengthen their existing skills and new participants to learn a solid foundation of the campaign!

Calling all Gap Year Abroad Alumni

Are you or someone you know an alumni of a gap year abroad program? If you know someone who took a year off between high school and college to go abroad for fun, study, or anything else, we want to know about the experience!

Please take a moment to pass along (or fill out) this brief survey to all the gap year alumni you know. Click here for the survey. Thanks.